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Tuesday, May 28, 2019

So long a letter :: essays research papers

Daniel Overmyers, Religions of China, discusses the historical developments of the opposite religions of China. It also addresses the impact religion has on the daily life of the Chinese in the preceding(a) and present. Overmyer introduces the Chinese living system with his knowledge of Feng-shui, and how everything is connected by shared rhythms. These rhythms are discussed as the cold, dark forces of yin and the hot, bright forces of yang together with the five powers of metal, plant, life, water, fire and earth these forces are modes of qi, vital substance. Their interaction produces all things (12). The author does an excellent job in his approach to teaching Chinese religions and culture. He explains its plan and upbringings consequently tries to relate them to the readers daily life. This book serves as an introduction to Chinese History, in terms of religions and practices, which paved the way for China today. In narrate to help introduce the major cultural and religious features of the book, the author places a chronological list of events in the beginning of the text from the Prehistoric time (6000 B.C.) to the Peoples state of China (1949-present). Its geographical limits are all of China, which extends from the Pacific Ocean to India to Afghanistan, and from Burma in the south to Siberia in the north. Overmyer gives a brief historical view of the countrys political and social climb, one example was with the decline of the Hans dynasty to the uprising of the Yellow Turbans then to Way of the Celestial Masters. These two popular movements were also forerunners of Daoism, which became the most serious religious tradition founded in China (37). The presentation of the text is thematic and it provides the reader with a step by step analysis to religions and practices. The author presents the concept in a very organized fashion. The first chapter introduces the beliefs and values of Chinas living system, with the concept of Feng-shui and qi. The ne xt chapter gives a brief overview of the historical developments of the different religions Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Popular Religion, and Foreign Religion. The proceeding chapters include the traditions and practices in their religious life and also the communitys intervention with the spiritual life i.e. The Spring Festival, eviction and the Buddhist Enlightenment. The last chapter, Chinese Religions Today, emphasizes on present day religion in Taiwan and China mainland.Overmyer is very knowledgeable in the subject matter, he was taught by his mother during his first 5 years living in China.

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